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Erma P. (Leathers) Robinson
1923 – 2017
VASSALBORO — Erma P. (Leathers) Robinson, 93, of Vassalboro, died Jan. 13 as she wished, at home, after the holidays and on her lucky day, Friday the 13th. She faced her death just as she lived, with no fear, doubt or regrets, as her body succumbed to colon cancer.
She was born the sixth of eight children in Corinna on May 23, 1923, to parents Ivory and Viola Leathers. She was predeceased by all.
She married the boy next door, Ervin R. Robinson, in Vassalboro on Oct. 24, 1943. Ervin passed away in 1991. He was her one and only, and she is looking forward to being reunited with him in the life beyond.
She spent the majority of her life as a homemaker, getting great satisfaction from gardening, berry picking, canning, sewing and DIY home remodeling projects. Active into her 90s, she continued to plant a vegetable garden, split and stack wood, feed the birds, shovel snow and refinish furniture. She especially enjoyed decorating for the holidays, which included a Christmas tree in every room.
Throughout their 48 years of marriage, she and Ervin road-tripped with a camper all over the United States and in her later years she traveled to other countries, including Germany, Russia and Latvia. She kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland at the age of 85 and ziplined in Costa Rica at 82.
She is survived by two of her three daughters, Sherry Cennamo and her husband, Ralph, and Robin Robinson, all of Vassalboro; and her son-in-law of 50 years, Phil Astwood of Newberry, S.C. Her eldest daughter and Phil’s wife, Valarie Astwood, of Newberry, S.C., passed away in 2015.
Erma will be missed by eight grandchildren and eight great-grands; Heather Astwood and her husband, Greg Kemp, of Germantown, Md., Owen Astwood and his wife, Holly, of Irmo, S.C., and their daughters, Isabel and Madelyn; Scott Robinson Sevigny of Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica, and his sons, Jordan and Anthony; Staci Fortunato and her husband, Peter, of Augusta, and their sons, Andrew and Daniel; Shelly Wilson of Windsor and her sons, Lukas and Isaak; and grandsons, Michael Cennamo of Portland, Anthony Cennamo, of Hallowell, and Nicholas Cennamo of Monhegan. Erma leaves behind her two feline companions of 12 years, Princess and Admiral, and hundreds of adoring Facebook fans, who have followed her escapades over the past few years and to whom she is known as the “Ermalator.”
The family would like to thank all the staff members at Maine General Hospice Care, especially Kathleen and Ayla, for their respectful and loving care of the Ermalator.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Vassalboro Community School, 1116 Webber Pond Road, Vassalboro, ME 04989.
Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
